Remotely controlled turret system for military and law enforcement training

ABSTRACT

A turret system in communication with a turret system control station, the turret system including a base, an arm connected to the base at a first end, a cradle connected to the arm at a second end, a gun connected to the cradle to shoot simulation ammunition stored in the cradle, and a computer system to communicate with and receive instructions from the turret system control station, from which a user may remotely control the turret system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates generally to a turretsystem, and specifically, to a remotely controlled turret system formilitary and law enforcement training.

2. Description of the Related Art

Guns are among the most common weapons used by the military and lawenforcement agencies, as they subdue targets from an idealized distance.To improve accuracy when using a gun, one requires skilled aiming thatis learned through practice and repetition. However, there are manyrisks in practicing with live ammunition, especially weapons that firemany rounds in rapid successions similar to burst guns.

Furthermore, military and law enforcement officers must train to useguns in stressful real-life combat situations, in order to moreeffectively perform their duties in the real world and while on duty.

Therefore, there is a need for a non-lethal training mechanism thatsimulates attack and defense scenarios in various situations.

Also, there is a need for a simulation practice model that promotes safecombat accuracy shooting training for armed forces and law enforcementofficers.

Furthermore, there is a need for a training module that teaches militaryand law enforcement officers to shoot burst weapons in a more controlledmanner, in order to diminish occurrences of friendly fire and otherdangerous threats of injuries.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides a remotely controlledturret system for military and law enforcement training.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventiveconcept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bypractice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present generalinventive concept may be achieved by providing a turret system incommunication with a turret system control station, the turret systemincluding a base, an arm connected to the base at a first end, a cradleconnected to the arm at a second end, a gun connected to the cradle toshoot simulation ammunition stored in the cradle, and a computer systemto communicate with and receive instructions from the turret systemcontrol station, from which a user may remotely control the turretsystem.

The turret system may further include an arm rotator disposed on thebase to rotate the arm with respect to a horizontal axis, an armextender to move the cradle and the gun up and down with respect to avertical axis, a gun rotator to rotate the gun independently from thearm, and a gun pivoter to pivot the gun up and down with respect to thevertical axis.

The computer system may control the shooting of the gun, the rotation ofthe arm rotator, the movement of the arm extender, the rotation of thegun rotator, and the pivoting of the gun pivoter.

The computer system may perform the controlling based on instructionsreceived from the turret system control station.

The turret system may further include a camera to capture images,wherein that the computer system transmits the captured images to theturret system control station such that the captured images a viewableon a display unit of the turret system control station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other features and utilities of the present generallyinventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated fromthe following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a turret system, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 illustrates a combat scenario including the turret system,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a turret system control station, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now bedescribed more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, thethicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated forclarity.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown byway of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit exampleembodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbersrefer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art.However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a termdeviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill,this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context thisdefinition is given herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a turret system 100, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 1 the turret system 100 may include a body 101, a base110, an arm 120, a cradle 130, a target 140, a gun 150, an arm rotator160, an arm extender 170, a gun rotator 180, and a gun pivoter 190.

The body 101, and other components of the turret system, may beconstructed from metal, plastic, powder, rubber, and any other materialknown to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The base 110 may be a round, a tripod, a quadripod, or any other type ofstable base known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The base 110 maybe placed on a surface that is adequately stable to support a weight ofthe turret system 100.

The arm 120 may be connected to the base 110 at a first end, and may beconnected to the cradle 130 and/or the gun 150 at a second end.

The arm 120 may be connected to the base 110 at the first end via thearm rotator 160.

The arm rotator 160 may rotate the arm 120 left or right, 360-degreeshorizontally on a plane parallel to the surface upon which the base 110is disposed. When the arm 120 rotates, all of the components disposed at(i.e., above) the second end of the arm 120 (i.e., the cradle 130, thetarget 140, and the gun 150) may also rotate therewith.

A motor (not illustrated) may be included within the base 110 to rotatethe arm rotator 160, which in turn rotates the arm 120. Various othermotors (not illustrated) may also be used to control any of the armextender 170, the gun rotator 180, and the gun pivoter 190.

The arm 120 may also expand and contract, thereby moving all of thecomponents disposed at (i.e., above) the second end of the arm 120(i.e., the cradle 130, the target 140, and the gun 150) up and down(i.e., with respect to a vertical direction). More specifically, the armextender 170 may function as a fulcrum or joint to cause the arm tooptionally extend and/or contract, based on a user's control.

The gun rotator 180 may rotate the gun 150 independently from the arm120. As such, the gun rotator 180 may rotate the gun 150 left or right,360-degrees.

The gun pivoter 190 may pivot the gun 150 up and down on a verticalaxis.

As such, the combination of the arm rotator 160, the arm extender 170,the gun rotator 180, and the gun pivoter 190, may all be utilized topoint a barrel of the gun 150 in any desired direction.

The cradle 130 may house various components therein, including, but notlimited to, a computer system 131, a camera 132, simulation ammunition133, a microphone 134, and a speaker 135.

The computer system 131 may include various components separately, oralternatively, disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB), and may beused to control all of the components within the turret system 100.

The computer system 131 may communicate with other external devicesusing wire or wireless technologies such as WIFI, WIFI DIRECT,BLUETOOTH, Near Filed Technology, RFID, the Internet, or any other typeof wireless communication system or network known to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

The computer system 131 may include electrical components such as astorage unit, a processor, a controller, a transceiver, and a receiver,but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the computer system 131 mayinclude a sensor as an integrated component of the computer system 131,or alternatively, may be provided separately from the computer system131 and connected via a wire or wirelessly, thereto.

The computer system 131 may be connected wired or wirelessly to theother electrical components within the turret system, including, but notlimited to, the speakers, the motors, an electrical outlet, a battery, atouch screen display unit, and USB ports.

The storage unit may include a memory storage device, such as a harddrive, a flash drive, a RAM, a ROM, or the cloud, but is not limitedthereto. The storage unit may store information received from theexternal devices, or alternatively, information input directly into thecomputer system 131.

The processor may include logic that allows the other components withinthe cradle 130 to communicate with each other.

The controller may receive signals interpreted from the processor, andmay control other components within the computer system 131. Forexample, the controller may control a volume of the speaker 135.

The transceiver may send information to external devices regarding astate and/or condition of the turret system 100.

The receiver may receive, from external devices, information and/orsignals regarding programming and/or moving the turret system 100.

The camera 132 may be any type of camera that captures and records stillor moving objects.

Therefore, when a moving object is captured by the camera 132, thestorage unit of the computer system 131 may store a media file includingthe captured image (i.e., .avi file, .mpeg file, .mp4 file, etc.). Theimage may also be transmitted to an external device via the transceiverof the computer system 131.

A mobile application may be provided on an external mobile device oranother external system, to allow for communication between the externalmobile device (or the another external system) and the computer system131. More specifically, the external mobile device (or the anotherexternal system) may communicate with the computer system 131 via WIFI,BLUETOOTH, Near Filed Technology, RFID, the Internet, or any other typeof wireless communication known to one of ordinary skill in the art, inorder to control functions of the turret system 100. Also, the mobiledevice may be “paired” with the turret system 100, using BLUETOOTHtechnology, for example.

The microphone 134 may allow users to talk to the turret system 100,such that a user, who is using an external device at a locationdifferent from a location of the turret system 100 that is connected toand in communication with the turret system 100, may hear the soundsemitted by the users.

The speaker 135 may allow the user, who is using the external device atthe location different from the location of the turret system 100 thatis connected to and in communication with the turret system 100, tocommunicate with and speak to the users.

The arm rotator 160, the arm extender 170, the gun rotator 180, and thegun pivoter 190 may all be controlled by the computer system 131. Morespecifically, the receiver of the computer system 131 may receiveinstructions from an external device to move the gun 150 in any desireddirection.

The target 140 may be disposed on the cradle 130, and may have anydesired shape including, but not limited to, a human torso, a bullseyetarget, and an animal. Alternatively, the target 140 may be provided inplurality, and/or may be placed in various locations away from thecradle 130, such that the target 140 is in wireless communication withthe computer system 131.

The target 140 may include a sensor 141 to sense whether the target 140has been fired upon and/or hit by an ammunition round.

The sensor 141 may be at least one of a pressure sensor, a force sensor,a vibration sensor, a density sensor, a level sensor, a proximitysensor, a tilt sensor, a presence sensor, a position sensor, an anglesensor, a displacement sensor, a distance sensor, a speed sensor, anacceleration sensor, an optical sensor, a light sensor, an imagingsensor, an electric current sensor, an electric potential sensor, amagnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, a sound sensor, and a proximitysensor, but is not limited thereto.

When the target 140 is hit by an ammunition round, the sensor 141 maysense the hit, and may send a signal to the computer system 131, whichmay record the hit and store the recording in the storage unit of thecomputer system 131. Also, an external device may be notified of the hitvia the transceiver of the computer system 131.

The gun 150 may be connected to the cradle 133, and may be fired via thecomputer system 130, such that the gun 150 may shoot (i.e., expel) thesimulation ammunition 133 stored in the cradle 130 from the barrel ofthe gun 150. Although the simulation ammunition 133 is intended to benon-lethal ammunition, it may alternatively include real live lethalbullets, based on a user's preference.

FIG. 2 illustrates a combat scenario 1000 including the turret system100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept.

FIG. 3 illustrates a turret system control station 400, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the combat scenario 1000 may include aninfinite amount of possibilities.

For example, the turret system 100 may be set up in a room in a locationsuch as building (such as an industrial building, or any other type ofenvironment) and may be controlled by another person utilizing theturret system control station 400 that is connected wirelessly incommunication with the turret system 100. A team of soldiers 300 may betasked to clear the building of all hostile targets. As the soldiers 300are making their way through the building and clearing each room, theymay come to a doorway 200 of the room that has a the turret system 100(i.e., to simulate a criminal) in it. As the soldiers 300 make entryinto the room through the door 200, the camera 132 may capture theimages of the soldiers 300, such that the user may view soldiers 300 ona display screen 411 of a computing device 410. The person who iscontrolling the turret system 100 via the turret system control station400 will have to acquire a target (e.g., one of the team of soldiers300), and use an input unit 412 (a keyboard, touch screen, mouse, etc.)and/or a joystick 420 to remotely fire a the simulation ammunition 133at the soldiers 300 from the gun 150. The gun 150 may fire thesimulation ammunition 133 at 3-5 round bursts, simulating a common rateof fire from enemies, before the team soldiers shoot the attached target140, disengaging the turret system 100. In other words, the team ofsoldiers 300 must enter the room through the door 200, locate/view theattached target 140, and fire well placed rounds (i.e., live ammo orsimulation ammunition rounds), hitting the sensor 141 of the target 140,simulating a kill shot, which will thereby disengage the turret system100.

By having a real person controlling the turret system 100, it gives thesoldiers 300 a more realistic threat creating chaos with simulationammunition 133 rounds flying towards their direction and the realisticsounds of live rounds being fired. This will raise the soldiers' 300awareness, raise their adrenaline and they will react in a morerealistic manner than entering a room with paper targets or role playersshooting blanks. Overall this will create a better bond within each teamknowing how each person will react to certain situations and will betterprepare them to react more efficiently in live events.

Alternatively, the turret system 100 may be used in ambush situations aswell.

For example, an ambush scenario may be set up for vehicles. The turretsystems 100 can be set off to either the left or right side of a convoyor both if you have multiple turret systems 100. Each turret system 100could have a separate operator. While a military convoy is driving ontheir route, the operator can pop-up multiple targets and engage theconvoy with the turret system 100. The convoy would have to make thedecision to dismount and eliminate the threat (i.e., pop-up targets), orpush through the ambush leaving the medium machine guns that are mountedon each vehicle to provide suppression fire, firing at the pop-uptargets. There may be various numbers of targets on pop-up stands. Theoperator of the turret system 100 will have the ability to remotelyactivate the targets. Once the target is shot, it will go downsimulating it has been shot and killed. Once in the down position it maybe on a predetermined time delay (e.g., five seconds) before the targetpops back up to be shot again.

As another example, another type of ambush could be a foot patrolthrough an urban environment. While conducting a foot patrol through aheavily populated urban area, police must be on their toes and ready foranything to happen. The turret systems 100 may be set up in well-hiddenlocations around a town. This will cause the trainees to practice theirsearch and assessment of an area. Ultimately the trainees are notsupposed to find the turrets so the operator can engage the patrol. Inthese ambush scenarios, they are going to be set up so that patrols canbe engaged. Ambushes are a situation that needs to be trained on becauseof how spontaneous and deadly they can become. Practice does help butthe human emotion cannot be taken out of the equation. Some people do infact freeze in these situations and that could mean lives may very wellbe lost due to said person's hesitation. By throwing troops into themost realistic situation without the lethality, the troops may betrained to effectively react to their surroundings.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept havebeen shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing fromthe principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A turret system in communication with a turret system controlstation, the turret system comprising: a base; an arm connected to thebase at a first end; a cradle connected to the arm at a second end; agun connected to the cradle to shoot simulation ammunition stored in thecradle; and a computer system to communicate with and receiveinstructions from the turret system control station, from which a usermay remotely control the turret system.
 2. The turret system of claim 1,further comprising: an arm rotator disposed on the base to rotate thearm with respect to a horizontal axis; an arm extender to move thecradle and the gun up and down with respect to a vertical axis; a gunrotator to rotate the gun independently from the arm; and a gun pivoterto pivot the gun up and down with respect to the vertical axis.
 3. Theturret system of claim 2, wherein the computer system controls theshooting of the gun, the rotation of the arm rotator, the movement ofthe arm extender, the rotation of the gun rotator, and the pivoting ofthe gun pivoter.
 4. The turret system of claim 3, wherein the computersystem performs the controlling based on instructions received from theturret system control station.
 5. The turret system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a camera to capture images, wherein that the computer systemtransmits the captured images to the turret system control station suchthat the captured images a viewable on a display unit of the turretsystem control station.